Category: Uncategorized

Joel Embiid says he’s feeling well, on track for Paris Olympics

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FILE–Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers said he is ready to play for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP

DALLAS — Joel Embiid was at the NBA Finals, and said his next stop is the Paris Olympics.

The Philadelphia 76ers center, who missed more than half of the regular season and then was hobbled in the playoffs because of a knee injury, said in a televised interview that his recovery is going well and he believes he’ll be ready to play for the U.S. at the Paris Games starting next month.

“I’m doing great. Just getting ready for the Olympics,” Embiid said in an appearance on ABC’s pregame show before Game 4 between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics. “It’s going to be big for me because I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid.”

READ: NBA: 76ers waste another season of Joel Embiid’s prime

Embiid’s health has been one of the questions surrounding the U.S. roster since it was revealed earlier this spring. He’s one of three centers on the roster, along with Miami’s Bam Adebayo and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.

Other injury questions in recent weeks have revolved around the status of Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, both of whom were either hobbled or sidelined during the playoffs. The Pacers expect that Haliburton — who dealt with a hamstring problem — will be ready for the start of USA camp in Las Vegas on July 5; Leonard missed 12 of the Clippers’ final 14 games this season with right knee inflammation.

READ: Joel Embiid decides to play for USA—not France—in Paris Olympics

Embiid had options on which team to play for this summer. He could have played for France, and even his native Cameroon — which still has a chance to qualify for the 12-team field. But in October, he chose to play for the U.S., in part because his son is American.

“For the past few years, every decision I’ve made has been based on just family,” Embiid said last year when revealing his decision. “My family, my son, and having the chance to represent a country like the U.S., with my son being born here … I love my home country, but I really wanted to play in the Olympics.”



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Dave Ildefonso Strong Group team for Jones Cup

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FILE–Dave Ildefonso is joining the Strong Group-Pilipinas for the Jones Cup. Photo from Suwon KT Sonicboom

MANILA, Philippines — Dave Ildefonso is reuniting with his Ateneo teammate Ange Kouame as he completes the Strong Group-Pilipinas roster for the 43rd William Jones Cup from July 13 to 21, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Ildefonso, armed with his two-year experience in the Korean Basketball League with Suwon KT, on Saturday was welcomed by the Philippine club, which also tapped UAAP Season 84 Kouame as one of its many foreign players.

“I’m really excited to be on the same team with Ange again,” said Ildefonso, who will be playing with the Gilas naturalized center for the first time since winning the UAAP Season 85. “I know what he can bring to the team and how valuable he is as a player. He’ll definitely have a big role to play for SGA.”

READ: Dave Ildefonso missing home, weighing options aside from KBL

Ildefonso, the son of PBA legend and Converge assistant coach Danny, will be teaming up with overseas players Kiefer Ravena, Angelo Kouame, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading, and RJ Abarrientos.

“My top priority in joining SGA is to help the team which is being handled by one of my friends in Ateneo Jacob (Lao) win the championship in any way possible,” said the KBL Asian import. “Representing the country is always a privilege, and I intend to make the most of an opportunity like this.”

DJ Fenner, Chris McCollough, Caelan Tiongson, and Tajuan Agee will reinforce the Filipinos, who will also be represented by young guns Jonathan Manalili, Allen Liwag, and Tony Ynot.

READ: Kouame, Abarrientos boost Strong Group’s Jones Cup roster

Ildefonso is also reuniting with Strong Group coach Charles Tiu, who previously coached him in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the Dubai International Basketball Tournament in 2020 under the Mighty Sports banner. 

“I’ve always been a fan of Dave’s game,” said Tiu. “I’m looking forward to seeing the improvement in his game from his time abroad. Hopefully, we can help boost his confidence for his next career step.”



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Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon skip PVL Draft, stay with NU

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Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — National University’s hard-hitting pair Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon are running it back with the Lady Bulldogs next UAAP season after skipping the inaugural 2024 PVL Rookie Draft.

Amid the high interest for Belen and Solomon, both NU stars didn’t throw their names in the first-ever PVL draft during the deadline on Wednesday. Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel headline the 47 aspirants.

Inquirer sources bared that Belen and Solomon have decided to play one more year with the Lady Bulldogs, eyeing a second straight championship in Season 87 — their third in four years.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel lead first PVL rookie draft aspirants

Belen and NU coach Norman Miguel were sought for comments but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

NU remains a formidable  side with the two MVPs staying put along with key players Lams Lamina, Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, and Shaira Jardio as well as Arah Panique and Nathasza Bombita.

Belen and Solomon, the UAAP Season and Finals MVP, respectively, are currently training with Alas Pilipinas, which is preparing for its FIVB Challenger Cup hosting next month at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

READ: NU stars, Jema Galanza join Alas Pilipinas training

Among the 47 aspirants are La Salle’s Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz, Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal, UST’s Pierre Abellana, Adamson’s Lucille Almonte, Ishie Lalongisip, and AA Adolfo, UP scorer Stephanie Bustrillo.

The live draft lottery determining the order of the first four picks will take place on June 24 with ZUS Coffee having the highest chance of getting the top pick with 40 percent, followed by Capital1 (30%), Galeries Tower (20%), and Farm Fresh (10%).

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.



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The 47 aspirants will have a two-day Draft Combine from June 25 to 26 at Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.

History on the side of Meralco Bolts after Game 5 win

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Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco is on the edge of a historic first crown in the PBA.

After nipping San Miguel, 92-88, Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Bolts are now up 3-2 in the best-of-seven championship series with a chance to finish off the defending champion this coming Sunday.

History is on the side of the Luigi Trillo and Nenad Vucenic-mentored crew as 15 of the 19 clubs in the last 12 years who won Game 5 after a 2-all deadlock went on to win the title, according to stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco Bolts need to ‘play with poise’ to close out San Miguel

Mathematically, that’s a 79 percent possibility favoring the Bolts.

But standing in the way is a San Miguel squad that has a veritable chokehold of PBA titles. And the Beermen, having won 29 titles, know what it takes to pull through in a stage where stakes are at their highest.

San Miguel owns three comebacks in the Finals. The Beermen have figured in 2-3 series deficits thrice and still managed to win the title, the last being against TNT four years ago, also in the Philippine Cup.

READ: Meralco on brink of first PBA title after Game 5 win over San Miguel

The other two instances are against Magnolia during the 2019 All Filipino, and against crowd darling Barangay Ginebra in the 2009 edition of the Fiesta Cup.

Safe to say Meralco has its work cut out for itself this coming Sunday when it tries to finish off the vaunted side at the fabled Big Dome.



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Celtics knocked down hard, but with chance to clinch at home

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Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford, top, and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, bottom, chase a loose ball during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

DALLAS  — Jayson Tatum had his step-back 3-pointer swatted away, then ended up in a heap on the floor and was called for an offensive foul.

It was that kind of night for Tatum and the Boston Celtics, who got knocked down hard in Game 4 of the NBA Finals when they had a chance to complete a sweep of the Dallas Mavericks.

Instead of wrapping up an unprecedented 18th NBA title, the Celtics suffered their worst loss ever in the NBA Finals — and one of the worst in league history — when they fell 122-84 on Friday night.

The Celtics’ 10-game postseason winning streak, a franchise record, ended after they lost on the road for the first time in these playoffs. They had been 7-0, including a Game 3 win in Dallas.

READ: NBA Finals: Luka Doncic, Mavericks crush Celtics to avoid sweep

Now the Celtics will get a chance to clinch it at home. Game 5 is in Boston on Monday night.

Dallas already had a 26-point lead at halftime, and any thoughts of a rally by the Celtics were pretty much done less than two minutes into the second half when Tatum had his shot blocked by Daniel Gafford, with the Boston forward reaching out as he fell and getting whistled for the foul.

With the outcome already all but certain, coach Joe Mazzulla emptied his bench with 3:18 left in the third quarter. It was already a 36-point margin that grew to as much as 48.

Tatum, who had 15 points and five rebounds, was on the bench with Jaylen Brown and the rest of the starters for the remainder of the night. And 7-foot-2 center Kristaps Porzingis never even removed his warmups after being declared available before the game.

There have been only two more lopsided games this late in the season: Boston’s 131-92 win over the Lakers in Game 6 to wrap up the Celtics’ last championship in 2008; and Chicago’s record 42-point win over Utah in Game 3 in 1998.

Boston had its lowest-scoring half all season — regular season and playoffs combined — when trailing 61-35 at halftime.



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Luka Doncic fouls out, Mavericks fall into 3-0 hole

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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) looks on as referee John Conley (79) gives a review on a play against the Boston Celtics during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball finals, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Dallas. Doncic fouled out in the fourth quarter. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

SCHEDULE: NBA Finals 2024 Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS— Luka Doncic tried to set his feet just beyond the 3-point line as the Dallas Mavericks were making a furious comeback attempt.

The superstar in his first NBA Finals was defending Jaylen Brown when the Boston guard dribbled between his legs, ducked his shoulder and made contact that sent both players hard to the ground with 4:12 left in the game. The foul was called against Doncic, who sat on the floor in disbelief with both of his arms stretched up into the air.

It was Doncic’s sixth foul of the game, his fourth in the fourth quarter, and his night was done after coach Jason Kidd’s unsuccessful challenge of the call. The Mavericks also were pretty much done for the game — and maybe the series as well — after the Boston Celtics won 106-99 on Wednesday night to go up 3-0 in the series.

“Yeah, we had a good chance. We were close. Just didn’t get it,” Doncic said. “I wish I was out there.”

READ: Celtics hold off Mavericks for commanding 3-0 NBA Finals lead

The Mavericks are now in a maybe impossible hole in these NBA Finals, after almost crawling all the way out of a big one before Doncic fouled out. They had a 22-2 run that began not long after his first foul of the quarter, and ended soon after he was sitting on the bench.

This is the 157th time a team has lost the first three games in a best-of-seven NBA playoff series. None of them has ever come back to win the series and only four have even forced a Game 7 — and the only time that happened in the NBA Finals was in 1951 by the New York Knicks.

Doncic had 27 points despite going only 1 of 7 on 3-pointers before he fouled out for only the third time in his six NBA seasons — 400 regular-season games and 51 more in the playoffs. He had never had four fouls in the same quarter before his whistle-plagued 7 1/2-minute span.

“I mean, I don’t know. We couldn’t play physical. I don’t know. I don’t want to say nothing,” Doncic said.

“You know, six fouls in the NBA Finals, basically I’m like this,” he said, motioning with his palms held out. “C’mon, man. Better than that.”

READ: NBA Finals: Luka Doncic triple-double not enough for Mavericks

Brown missed a 13-foot shot after the replay challenge, and the Mavericks — who had charged out to a 22-9 lead in the first 6:12 of the game — got a 17-foot jumper from Kyrie Irving to get within 93-92 with 3:37 left. That was the closest they got before Brown tipped in a miss by Jayson Tatum.

Doncic’s sixth foul came only 26 seconds after his fifth, also a play involving Brown when it appeared the Celtics guard may have hooked Doncic.

“Yeah, it looked … looks can be deceiving,” Kidd said.

There was no challenge then, but Kidd certainly had to try on the next one in an effort to keep Doncic in the game.

“I was stuck. I had to challenge it,” Kidd said. “Had to challenge because it was a close call. But the referee called it a foul. Got to move on, move forward.”

Game 4 is Friday night, and the Mavericks have to win just to send the series back to Boston.



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“It’s not over till it’s over. We just got to believe. Like I always say, it’s first to four,” Doncic said. “We’re going to stay together. We lose together, we win together. So we got to stay together.”

Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL rookie draft aspirants

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FILE – Alas Pilipinas stars and La Salle standouts Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel (left and second to left) join the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel were among the 47 aspirants — mostly composed of UAAP and NCAA student-athletes — joining the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8.

The La Salle pair, who were part of the Philippines’ historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, will be part of the league’s historic Rookie Draft with their fellow Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz.

The PVL trimmed the total number of applicants from 50 to 47 after the June 12 deadline.

Gagate is a three-time 1st Best Middle Blocker in the UAAP and won the Season 85 title last year before settling for a bronze this season. Cruz, who suffered an ACL injury in 2023, has thrown her name to the draft after sitting out in Season 86 and is also listed as a middle blocker from playing as an opposite spiker.

READ: How the rise of PVL, PH volleyball has put the sport on a pedestal

Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal is also part of the historic draft with Pierre Abellana of the University of Santo Tomas, the runner-up of the UAAP as the 47 aspirants will have a two-day Draft Combine from June 25-26 at Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.

Adamson has seven aspirants in outside spikers Lucille Almonte and Ishie Lalongisip, opposite spiker AA Adolfo, setters Nikka Yandoc and Angge Alcantara, libero Karen Verdeflor, and middle blocker Sharya Ancheta. University of the Philippines has three players in Abi Goc (outside hitter), Jewel Encarnacion (outside hitter), and Stephanie Bustrillo (opposite spiker), while University of the East has three aspirants Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor.

NU stars stay put

Alyssa Solomon Bella Belen Alas Pilipinas

FILE–National University’s Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who drew huge interest after leading National University to its second UAAP title in three years and winning the Season and Finals MVP, respectively, didn’t apply for the PVL draft. Inquirer sources bared that they decided to stay for another title defense.

Training pool players from NU, CJ Evangelista, La Salle’s Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres, former UST Tigress Mary Grace Vernaiz, and former UE Lady Warrior Remcel Santos also entered the draft.

The draft will also feature Filipino-Foreign players with Aleiah Torres of Brock University and Nathalie Ramacula of Red River College Polytechnic as well as other players nationwide, Lovely Zapf and Lian Macasiray from DLSU-Dasmarinas, Andrea Jardio of Lyceum-Alabang, Jamie Solina from Marinduque State, Danya Casino of Trinity, and Danivah Aying from USJ-R.

READ: UAAP: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon take their time to enjoy NU title

NCAA players are also joining with Letran’s Daisy Melendres and Bay Anne de Leon; Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Lorraine Pecana, Donnalyn Paralejas, and Charmina Dino; EAC’s Catherine Almanzan; Lyceum’s Camille Belaro; San Beda’s Maxinne Tayag and Lalaine Arizapa; San Sebastian’s Jewelle Bermillo; and Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea and Sandra Dayao.



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The live draft lottery determining the order of the first four picks between Zus Coffee, Farm Fresh, Capital1, and Galeries Tower will be held on the June 24 episode of The Starting Lineup, which airs on RPTV and Pilipinas Live.

Luka Doncic, Mavericks crush Celtics to avoid sweep

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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and center Dereck Lively II (2) prepare their defense against the Boston Celtics during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

DALLAS— Luka Doncic scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half, Kyrie Irving added 21 points and the Dallas Mavericks emphatically extended their season on Friday night, fending off elimination by beating the Boston Celtics 122-84 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

The Mavs’ stars were done by the end of the third quarter, with good reason. It was all Dallas from the outset, the Mavs leading by 13 after one quarter, 26 at the half and by as many as 38 in the third before both sides emptied the benches.

The 38-point final margin was the third-biggest ever in an NBA Finals game, behind only Chicago beating Utah 96-54 in 1998 and the Celtics beating the Los Angeles Lakers 131-92 in 2008.

READ: Luka Doncic learning in first NBA Finals, but not conceding to Celtics

Before Friday, the worst NBA Finals loss for the 17-time champion Celtics was 137-104 to the Lakers in 1984. This was worse. Much worse, at times. Dallas’ biggest lead in the fourth was 48 — the biggest deficit the Celtics have faced all season.

The Celtics still lead the series 3-1, and Game 5 is in Boston on Monday.

The loss — Boston’s first in five weeks — snapped the Celtics’ franchise-record, 10-game postseason winning streak, plus took away the chance they had at being the first team in NBA history to win both the conference finals and the finals in 4-0 sweeps.

Jayson Tatum scored 15 points, Sam Hauser had 14 while Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday each finished with 10 for the Celtics.

Dallas Mavericks Dereck Lively NBA Finals Mavericks vs Celtics

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) celebrates a score against the Boston Celtics during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points, all in the fourth quarter, and Dereck Lively II had 11 points and 12 rebounds for Dallas. It was Lively who provided the hint that it was going to be a good night for the Mavs in the early going. He connected on a 3-pointer — the first of his NBA career — midway through the first quarter, a shot that gave the Mavs the lead for good.

READ: ‘Fun’ key to Mavs’ bid for unprecedented NBA Finals comebac–Doncic

And they were off and running from there. And kept running.

It was 61-35 at the half and Dallas left a ton of points unclaimed in the opening 24 minutes as well. The Mavs went into the break having shot only 5 of 15 from 3-point range, 10 of 16 from the foul line — and they were in total control anyway.

The lowlights for Boston were many, some of them historic:

— The 35 points represented the Celtics’ lowest-scoring total in a half, either half, in Joe Mazzulla’s two seasons as coach.

— The 26-point halftime deficit was Boston’s second biggest of the season. The Celtics trailed Milwaukee by 37 at the break on Jan. 11, one of only eight instances in their first 99 games of this season where they trailed by double figures at halftime.

— The halftime deficit was Boston’s largest ever in an NBA Finals game, and the 35-point number was the second-worst by the Celtics in the first half of one. They managed 31 against the Lakers on June 15, 2010, Game 6 of the series that the Lakers claimed with a Game 7 victory.

Teams with a lead of 23 or more points at halftime, even in this season where comebacks looked easier than ever before, were 76-0 this season entering Friday night.

Make it 77-0 now. Doncic’s jersey number, coincidentally enough.

The Celtics surely were thinking about how making a little dent in the Dallas lead to open the second half could have made things interesting. Instead, the Mavs put things away and fast; a 15-7 run over the first 4:32 of the third pushed Dallas’ lead out to 76-42.

Whatever hope Boston had of a pulling off a huge rally and capping off a sweep was long gone. Mazzulla pulled the starters, all of them, simultaneously with 3:18 left in the third and Dallas leading 88-52.



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The Mavs still have the steepest climb possible in this series, but the first step was done.

Celtics land biggest punches again to move closer to title

On: By: admin


Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, top left, looks on as Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, bottom, is fouled by Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, center, during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball finals, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

SCHEDULE: NBA Finals 2024 Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS — Joe Mazzulla is a big fan of UFC matches and splices highlights of fights into some of the basketball video he shows the Boston Celtics.

He doesn’t do it for entertainment purposes or to make players laugh. He does it for a simple reason. He wants the Celtics to have a fighters’ mentality.

“If you’ve ever been in a fight with someone and you think you’re about to beat ’em, you usually get sucker-punched,” said Mazzulla, the second-year Celtics coach. “The closer you are to beating them up, the closer you are to losing.”

Translation: He wanted the Celtics ready for a fight. And in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, they were.

A pair of big runs — 23-8 in the first half, 20-5 in the second half — represented what became the knockout blows in this game, and maybe this series. Boston frittered away almost all of what was a 21-point lead before winning 106-99 to take a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals, moving one win away from what would be their record-setting 18th championship.

READ: Celtics hold off Mavericks for commanding 3-0 NBA Finals lead

“Our guys have a great basketball IQ and have a great understanding of are we playing the right way, taking the right shots and giving up the right shot.” Mazzulla said. “They know exactly when we are not doing that. So, they have an innate ability to control the runs of the game with the philosophy that we have.”

As is often the case with fights, the judges — in this case, the referees — had a big decision to make and it wasn’t one that was popular. Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining, a call that held up under review despite Dallas’ arguments that Jaylen Brown initiated the contact on that play, and the Mavs were without their best puncher in what amounted to the 12th round of this fight.

“We couldn’t play physical,” Doncic said. “I don’t know. I don’t want to say nothing. … C’mon, man.”

Doncic fouled out with the Mavericks having gotten within three; there was no miracle finish. Boston did enough to hang on, and now a championship could be in its hands as early as Friday night when the teams meet in Game 4.

And the big punch — sometimes early, sometimes not — has been a theme for Boston throughout this series. Dallas ran out to a 25-12 lead early Wednesday; that lead was basically gone by the end of the first quarter.

“We expected their first punch,” Celtics forward Jayson Tatum said.

Control of Game 1 was seized early with a 23-5 run by the Celtics. In Game 2, a 15-4 run in the second half proved to basically be the difference. In Game 3, there were the two big spurts. Mazzulla warned the Celtics that any spell where focus is lost could cost them games. Clearly, they’ve listened.

“Closer you think you’re going to submit someone, is usually when you get submitted,” Mazzulla said.

There’s no championship belt, like the ones fighters get, coming when this series is over. But the trophy is within sight now.



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“We’ve got to keep fighting,” Tatum said. “We can’t relax.”